MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

In late August, I will have one day to spend at the GC. Where and at what times are recommended for photography?
And, while I'm asking, any recommendations for Sedona would be great.

Thank you

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Dawn or Dusk at the rim of the GC, depending on the weather forecast if you can control the options. I prefer the area near Bright Angel Lodge in the morning and near Desert View Watchtower in the evening. Potential weather is the bigger driver.

awenderoff

Take the pink jeep rides into the canyon at Sedona

cdayton

Definitely do Pink Jeep. Resist doing one of the HUMVEE rides - too big for some places. As for GC, a helicopter tour is great but somewhat pricey.

scubadoc Loc: Sarasota, FL

Sedona: many great photography sites, all built around the vistas and the beautiful rock formations. Pink Jeep tours at sunset offer beautiful vistas, you can take a Segway tour into the back roads. Google photo sites in Sedona. Sunset near the airport, get there early if you want to set up a tripod in the front row.

willy6419

Don’t do pink Jeep tour, although great scenery

Instead rent a Jeep and drive the same routes they do from Barlow’s so you can take the time to shoot whatever you want rather than stay on their schedule

Rent day 1, explore your selection, evening sunset, day 2 sunrise, and return after sunrise

They give you map coordinated to trip odometer

Much more fun

Bring proof of insurance

Check website

Pumble

I did both last year but spent a whole day in Sedona and the rest of the whole week in GC. Although the Pink Jeep tour we did was really nice, doing that in Sedona and then making the trek to GC, you'll spend more time riding in a vehicle than you will be enjoying the sights. Keep in mind the tours are always 2-3 hours all in and the time from Sedona to GC is some 2 hours. Given only one day, how much will you really enjoy the sights?

In the GC, Paul is right, Go near the Angel Bright Lodge, the sights on that side of the south rim are amazing. The weather is a factor, so is the smoke from any nearby brush fires burning. I have shots with this cool haze on them, albeit it looks foggy, it is the low lying smoke from the fires that were burning.

We also did a Helicopter ride https://www.papillon.com/?ref=0000 It was just unbelievable. again, 3 hours.

If you have the time and want to do something really special again another 1-2 hour ride, take a photo tour of the slot canyons. They have tours that are limited to photographers, and you must have a DSLR or Mirrorless with tripod to go on it. One photog will enable your family or loved ones to also go. This keeps out the cell phone snappers and they unreal with helping set up shots and taking you places others are not allowed to go. Unfortunately it appears they've closed due to the virus, who knows if they'll be open when you get there. Worth a call. https://www.navajoantelopecanyon.com/Photo.html

In any event, the other thing you might take advantage of is the dark sky in the GC to do some Milky Way shots at night. In short its an all day affair, from day break to after dark.

Be really careful about where you are, some are killed falling over the edge trying to get that best selfie. There's no hand rails to keep you confined. When we were there, the news reported that someone had just done this. I happened to see a Ranger giving a class about the history of the canyon and asked him how many people actually do that. We learned that 6-7 people a year go over edge from loss of situational awareness (selfies). They said another 5-7 jump and another 10-12 have the big cardiac arrest. Bring tons of water, get a hydro pack if you're going to do some hiking. Although my wife teased me, I filled mine with Lemonade and tons of ice and was able to go all day. She had boring lukewarm water. I took a picture of my dash to memorize the fact that in August 2019 it was 111 degrees when we got there.

In short, there is so much to do there you will not realize how fast the time went. It's been a year and I still haven't processed my pictures, I have so many that SOOC look amazing. Go on youtube and look for videos about the Grand Canyon, there are some real good personal ones among the silly ones. I'd go back in a heartbeat as I don't think we saw everything. I'd like to go to the North Rim in the fall for some snow and more winter scenes.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Tripadvisor.com

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Not liking Sedona at all.
Guess you can go to McDonald's and see the green arches which are the only ones I know of.
The rest is tourist trap same old same old that everyone sees and has thousands of the same photos.
I love Oak Creek Canyon but the best parts require one to walk.
1. West Fork
2. The trail from Call of the Canyon to Mayhews (Where West Fork begins)
3. Trail south of West Fork along the east side of Oak Creek to an old pioneer home and farm and beautiful pond and graves.
4. Trail across from Cave Springs campground into a most wonderful side canyon.
5. The top of the switch backs over look.
6. There are hundreds of other incredible places including caves etc. but an experienced guide would be required to locate them for you.
In the Area there are the following superb places to visit:
1. Copper Museum in Clarkdale.
2. Tuzigoot national monument (Indian ruins).
3. Sycamore Canyon, some incredible views, cliffs and just wondrous views.
4. Verde Canyon Rail Road, if running during this national issue.
5. Page Springs Hatchery.
Here are some shots taken off the beaten path.
A. Passage through a cave to get from one place to another.
B. View of the "Twin Towers"
C.

Passage through a cave to get from one place to another


View of the "Twin Towers"


West Fork

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

In Sedona, consider Arizona Safari tours with Captain Jack driving. He allows enough time to stop along the route for photographs for as long his passengers want. It seems the pink jeeps are usually in a hurry.

PeteWeez Loc: LSD

Stayed at the Casa Sedona. Very nice. Shots everywhere.

Joexx

This is advice I agree with. The Pink Jeep tours have many great reviews. Most of the reviews are probably "real", and many people seem to like them. But, we went on a Pink Jeep tour a few years ago and I was very disappointed. We did have a good time , but they are expensive & IMHO not worth it & with the limited time we were there, we could have used our time better. Around Sedona there are many roads that you can drive on in a 2wd car and get great views. Many good hikes also. Most of the jeep ride I took was us just getting bounced around in a 4wd. Some great scenery, but I could have seen similar from my 2wd car. If there are several of you, it is probably cheaper to rent a 4wd & you will be out for a longer time & have control of when you stop for pictures etc. Sedona is a real pretty place & you should have a good time. Lots of good locations to take pictures. If you are only there for a day, you will find more than enough places to see without doing the Pink jeep tour.

MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

To Everyone, Thank you so much for all of the good info.

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

I Googled “best places for photography near Sedona az” and found gobs of wonderful information, recommendations and suggestions...try it yourself, it is worth the effort.

Cheers!

williejoha

A few years ago I shot the GC. After a day of shooting I thought a moonrise shot would be great. I went to ask a ranger. He gave me the precise location, the time to be there to beat the onrush of all the rest of the shooters and the result of all Was an incredible shot. So, ask the rangers. Hope it works out.
WJH